By Aazam
Spire is helping NorthStar Earth & Space launch an initial fleet of satellites to collect space situational awareness (SSA) data
The firms announced March 16 that Spire will launch three 12-unit cubesats with SSA sensors for NorthStar in 2023.
They said the transaction includes options for dozens of satellites but did not divulge financial terms
Montreal-based NorthStar and LeoStella ordered three Skylarks from Thales Alenia Space
NorthStar and Spire are European. Luxembourg Future Fund funds both companies' European headquarters (LFF)
LFF joined Spire's 2017 $70 million Series C round and NorthStar's December 2021 $45 million round.
NorthStar may accelerate space deployment and scaling by using Spire's infrastructure and expertise
Spire announced a similar space-as-a-service contract with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) March 7
Spire will build four six-unit cubesats for SNC to identify radio-frequency interference sources under that agreement